Trail Races have Good Demand

They estimate that the popularity of non-traditional running events in this country grew a record 4 million participants in 2013, surpassing the record 2.5 million finishers of both the half-marathon and marathon combined last year.

Even though it shares the space with obstacle course runs, color runs, and orienteering, trail running is still king-of-the-hill when it comes to non-traditional running sports.

However, to further refine our focus on trail running itself, the American Trail Running Association (ATRA) Spring 2016 Trail Running Survey found that 64-percent claim they will run up to 5 races in a year.

Considering that there are roughly 2,000 trail races a year in the United States — 800 on the ATRA website alone — there are more trail runners looking for races than their races currently being promoted.

The demand is there, but it requires you to build a race to meet it.

Trail Races are Cost Effective

If costs are an issue, trail races have some cost savings benefits that other off-road races don’t have.

First, the course is simple to create.

Anyone can create a trail race course using a good trail, boundary tape, arrows, and a few water stations.

There may be no need for serious trail maintenance or course repairs before the race since trail runners are used to the rough terrain.

In fact, in some races, a downed tree is considered a feature, not an obstacle.

Another benefit to trail races is resilience to weather.

Unlike mountain bike tires that will ruin trails, trail runners have less of an impact on wet trails overall.

Even in pouring rain, many parks will allow you continue your trail race in conditions that would cancel a mountain bike race.

This allows you to hold your race on the day you selected, instead of having to postpone your race for another day.

This also means you won’t have to give out any refunds if it rains.

The biggest benefit, however, is the cost of your insurance.

Unlike other races that are high in risk, trail running events will allow you obtain a policy for a lower premium.

Being able to purchase insurance for your trail race at a reasonable price gives you the added option of declining to be sanctioned.

If you are only doing local events, sanctioning it not always a cost effective option for obtaining insurance.

Not electing to sanction your race may limit your marketing opportunities, but it will also release you from having to pay for expensive race officials.

Doing your own officiating and timing provides you with much more flexibility in designing your course, finish line, paperwork, and post-race amenities (i.e. beer).

Once you have enough trail races under your belt, you can decide to become a sanctioned event.

Posted by Kyle Bondo

Kyle Bondo is a thinker, podcaster, author, and creative strategy dragon seeking to make a small dent in the universe. He is the founder of Reckoneer, host of the Merchants of Dirt Podcast and Get Lost Racing Podcast podcasts, and an avid adventure racer. As a successful race promoter with over 20+ years in the endurance racing industry, Kyle has helped many race directors and race promoters start and improve their own races so that they too can share their passion for endurance sports with others.

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Reckoneer, the leading resource for outdoor industry event planners, has been partnering with race directors and event managers since 2012. As a veteran-owned, event planning and marketing company, Reckoneer supports an extensive portfolio of off-road races, outdoor programs, and endurance sports companies with strategy, logistics, and contingency planning.

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